King County Superior Court: Darvas, Washington lead

Andrea Darvas and Chris Washington appeared headed for victory last night in races for two King County Superior Court judgeships.

For Position 23, Darvas, a trial attorney, was ahead of Julia Garratt, a King County judge pro tem.

For Position 42, Washington, a criminal and civil attorney, was outpolling Catherine Moore, a King County law commissioner pro tem.

In the Position 23 race, Darvas touted 22 years of law practice representing families, seniors, working people, small-business owners and crime victims. Her judicial experience includes work as a court-appointed arbitrator and hearing officer.

Born in communist Hungary, she escaped with her parents "so I could live with freedom, equal opportunity and the rule of law."

Garratt cited 24 years as a prosecutor, public defender and Parole Board member among her chief qualifications. She has served intermittently as a Superior Court judge pro tem since 1998 and campaigned as someone who could "hit the ground running."

In the Position 42 race, Moore pointed to her experience as a family-law commissioner pro tem in King County Superior Court and as a judge in the Lummi Nation Tribal Court.

She has also been a public defender, private practitioner and a guardian ad litem, representing families, children and the poor.

Washington emphasized his 30 years of legal experience, including work as a King County deputy prosecutor, a judge pro tem and an arbitrator for King County District Court.

He says he has represented law-enforcement agencies and police officers. He also served on a committee to advise the Archdiocese of Seattle on reports of sexual abuse.